When I visited Yesica (12) in La Paz, Bolivia, we were in a park with lush grass and flowers – totally foreign to her dusty El Alto life. At one point she drew away to lie on a bench, to “soak up” the day like any thoughtful adolescent. She knew this day had to be captured in her memory to treasure for years to come.

Yes, the children absolutely love it when they hear from their sponsor. When you go visit them, it would be the most amazing thing to them. It’s difficult to over estimate how important the sponsor is to the children. So, even though a letter might take just 5 minutes, it has a HUGE impact on them. Even if you were just to write that you love them very much and that you are praying for them. That would be very encouraging to the child, when everything in their environment tells them the opposite.

I agree with Amy – I hope they know how much we love their letters, too! Reminds me – I need to spend more time handwriting letters. I use the computer more often because it’s faster and easier when I’m writing to all of my kids at one time, plus my printing isn’t that tidy, but I love their hand written letters. Good reminder of the importance of writing to your children!

I have been to some my kids homes and I know how much they treasure letters, photos, stickers, etc that we send. I have seen many boxes pulled out from under a bed with everything the kid’s sponsors have sent to them. I have to agree with Amy and Dana. Among the tons of junk mail, I always have my eye open for that ivory colored envelope. Seeing that envelope makes my day.

Hi, How soon is a child told that they have just been assigned a sponsor? My child showed up in my profile within a day or so, and I was just wondering if he has been told he now has a sponsor. I would imagine the news would be quite exciting for them as it is for the sponsors when we sign up. Thanks for your time.

Kal, it is super exciting news for a child to find out that they have been sponsored! It’s definitely a big deal. Thank you so much for making a difference in the life of this child! Each child may find out anywhere between a few weeks to a month after that sponsor sends in their first donation. This all depends on how close the student center is to the country office. I would imagine that your sponsored child will be notified real soon.